Retired CW4 Jerry R. Riley exhibited outstanding courage, professionalism and dedication to Army aviation as an Army aviator, contract civilian, and as a Department of the Army civilian.

Riley amassed 950 combat hours as a UH-1H aircraft commander during the Vietnam War with the 101st Airborne Division, and his bravery under fire and combat flying skills were recognized with the award of two Distinguished Flying Crosses.

After leaving active duty in 1976, Riley became a contract flight instructor at Fort Rucker, Ala., becoming assistant flight commander and winning a safety award for 3,000 flight hours without accident or incident.

In 1977, he restarted his military service as an Army Reserve aviator with the 282nd Aviation Company and the 33rd Aviation Group, going on to serve the nation for 27 years.

In that capacity Riley took part in deployments to Europe, supported various units in the southeastern United States, and participated in numerous counter-drug operations.

As a Department of the Army civilian instructor pilot and the standardization officer for the Aviation Training Brigade, forerunner of today's 110th Avn. Bde., at Fort Rucker, Riley's professionalism had a profound effect on the Aviation community throughout the Army.